Key Takeaways

• One of the data-backed theories that predict Will Byers' death in season five comes from Venngage’s Tessa Reid. According to Reid, to come up with the prediction, she analyzed all the deaths that have occurred so far from season one and collected data on the victims. She then used the data to create an “algorithm of doom” which she applied to all the remaining characters to determine who might die next.
• After applying the algorithm to the remaining characters, Reid predicts that Will Byers might also die in the final season as they all scored 15 doom points each. Based on Will’s score, although he has appeared in many episodes, his archetype (herald) gets him in trouble. Both Chrissy and Fred were heralds who died fighting Vecna in season 4, and Will is going to be the herald in that fight in season 5. Moreover, his trait themes (sweet, intelligent, and loyal) do not appear to be rewarded well in the series.
• A theory that originated from Reddit (courtesy of @Sirabey_Grey) but garnered a lot of attention and received media coverage revolves around Will's connection to the Upside Down. One of its main points is that Will is special. Furthermore, his lack of involvement in Season 4 is “not so much that the writers have forgotten about Will or don’t know what to do with him, but more that he’s integral to the larger plot/resolution.” Thus, if Will ends up being the most important character, his death will be necessary to not only save everyone but also stop the Upside Down.

Introduction

The Context

• After its release, Stranger Things Season 4 became the most viewed English-language show of all time with over 188.19 million total hours viewed.
• Not only did this season surpass the show’s other seasons (Season 1 at 45.22 million hours, Season 2 at 41.11 million hours, and Season 3 at 36.59 million hours) but also other popular series such as Umbrella Academy’s third season which had 43.84 million hours viewed and Peaky Blinders’ sixth season which has 13.06 million hours viewed.
• Stranger Things fans are now waiting for the series’ fifth and final season and on one hand, some of them are speculating on which characters will make a comeback. For instance, there is speculation that Martin Brenner, Eleven’s papa, will return despite being shot in the last season, as there are still many mysteries surrounding his character.
• On the other hand, fans are also trying to figure out which main character(s) will die in the final season. According to Comic Book Resources (CBR), the fans were “promised a horror-filled, high-stakes season that killed off multiple characters” before the release of season 4. However, although this promise was fulfilled in the season, especially in Volume 2, some deaths such as Enzo’s (which was supposed to happen) did not happen.
• Moreover, all the main cast made it through the season alive. As a result, many fans were left busy speculating which main character(s) will die in the final season, Will Byers being one of them. This report provides insights into two popular theories that suggest that Will Byers will be the unlucky victim.

#1: Venngage Infographics Theory

• One of the data-backed theories that predict Will Byers' death in season five comes from Venngage’s Tessa Reid. According to Reid, to come up with the prediction, she analyzed all the deaths (except minor characters, animals, and monsters) that have occurred so far from season one, and collected data on the victims. She then used the data to create an “algorithm of doom” which she applied to all the remaining characters to determine who might die next. Data collected on all the notable deaths throughout the seasons can be found here.
• The data she collected has been classified into three different categories; the number of episode appearances, character archetypes, and trait themes.

• Number of Episode Appearances: In this category, Reid states that the more episodes a character appears in, the less likely he or she will die. For instance, although Barb has appeared in flashbacks in the series, she barely made it to two full episodes. Bob Newby (7episodes) and Billy (15 episodes) are also named as examples to justify why episode appearances are a strong sign of whether a character will survive or not.
• Character Archetypes: When it comes to character archetypes, which show the pattern of a character and help us define their character and function in the story, Reid observed a couple of them that have been on repeat every season. Thus, using these archetypes, she was able to predict which characters are more likely to die or survive. The “shadows” is one of the archetypes in this theory and since they usually die at the end of every season, Reid believes that they are more likely to die.
• Trait Themes: Character traits fall in the third and final category used in this theory. According to Reid, traits not only paint characters in color but also add depth and dimension. She further says that traits can make characters loved or despised and that screenwriters also know which traits make a character’s death more tragic or deserving.

 

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• Using the algorithm created based on the above categories, the characters that scored the most points on the doom chart are more likely to die in the final season compared to the other characters, according to Reid.
• After applying the algorithm to the remaining characters, in addition to Vecna and Yuri, Reid predicts that Will Byers might also die in the final season as they all scored 15 doom points each.

 Will's Points: (31 episodes = 1) + (Herald = 4) + (Sweet = 5) + (Intelligent = 3) + (Loyal = 2) = 15 doom points

• Based on Will’s score, although he has appeared in many episodes, his archetype (herald) gets him in trouble. Both Chrissy and Fred were heralds who died fighting Vecna in season 4, and Will is going to be the herald in that fight in season 5. Moreover, his trait themes (sweet, intelligent, and loyal) do not appear to be rewarded well in the series, especially if we consider sweet, innocent Chrissy or kind, sensible Barb’s deaths. Data on how many doom points the other remaining characters scored can be found here.
• Finally, Reid says that while this algorithm may not be perfect science, she tested it before Season 4, Volume Two was released, and Eddie (15/25 doom points) Martin Brenner (14/25 doom points) and Jason Carver (14/25 doom points) topped the chart.

 

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#2: The Will Byers’ Connection to the Upside Down Theory

• Will Byers’ connection to the Upside Down has also played a huge role in some of the theories out there that predict his death in the final season. Some fans believe that while he has been on the sidelines in the past two seasons, he’s going to take center stage in the final season and this could lead to his untimely demise.
• This line of thought was somewhat backed by one of the Duffer brothers, Matt Duffer, who in an interview said; “Will’s going to be a big part and focus, is all I can say of Seasons 5, in his journey. We’re starting to see his coming of age, really. Which has been challenging for a number of reasons, some of which are supernatural. But you’re starting to see him come into his own.”
• This well-reasoned idea that predicts that Will is the main character that will die in the final season, originated from Reddit (courtesy of @Sirabey_Grey). The theory garnered a lot of attention and received media coverage. One of the main points in Grey’s theory is that Will is special. For instance, time was frozen in the Upside World the day he disappeared and this portrays that there is something special/important about him.
• Grey continues to speculate that maybe there’s something about Will’s “soul/being still being so interconnected to the upside down that he is stuck in time in a way” and that is why he appears to be stunted and isn’t growing up as the other kids.
• Will’s minimal role in season 4 also fuels Grey’s theory. According to her, this lack of involvement is “not so much that the writers have forgotten about Will or don’t know what to do with him, but more that he’s integral to the larger plot/resolution.” Thus, if Will ends up being the most important character, his death will be necessary to not only save everyone but also stop the Upside Down.
• While Grey’s theory was mostly focused on which main character would die in Season 4, Volume Two, it has been carried over to season 5. According to ScreenRant, in the last episode of season 4, Will senses the possible return of Vecna before anyone, proving that he has a connection to Vecna. While this connection can be used to get to Vecna, most fans believe that Vecna intends to use Will's body as a host in season 5, especially since Henry Creel’s physical body is supposed to have been destroyed.
• Moreover, Will himself said that the Mind Flayer wanted to kill everyone but him and that he didn’t want to harm him which adds weight to the point that Vecna needs his body to enter Hawkins, especially after season 4 revealed that Vecna had been the intelligence behind the Mind Flayer as well as the rest of Upside Down from the very start.
• Going by this theory, fans believe that Will might sacrifice himself in order to kill the villain for good. Screen Rant’s article further said: “just as several deaths were required to open the gates between the Upside Down and Hawkins, certain deaths may be needed to close the barrier forever.”

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